1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
felt such great affliction over the destruction of the beautiful old home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affliction
Fans took this to mean that Muniz was suffering from a serious health affliction — but the actor now insists that people have it all wrong.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
But those maladies have nothing against the ones presented in this list—six afflictions that many of us have come to know all too well.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The internet has come up with several remedies for this particular affliction.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
Deprived of the Sun, Australians acquire afflictions more commonly associated with northern Scandinavia, like vitamin D deficiencies and seasonal affective disorder, only all year-round.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
But those maladies have nothing against the ones presented in this list—six afflictions that many of us have come to know all too well.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The internet has come up with several remedies for this particular affliction.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
Deprived of the Sun, Australians acquire afflictions more commonly associated with northern Scandinavia, like vitamin D deficiencies and seasonal affective disorder, only all year-round.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
-
Chaofeng Ge arrived in ICE custody last summer at a Pennsylvania facility run by the GEO Group in mental distress, having pleaded guilty to a minor gift card fraud and attempted suicide in state custody, said David Rankin, an attorney representing Ge's family.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
The petition that initially accused Lopez of political bribery, intentional evasion of the insurance process, property damage and child endangerment was narrowed to negligence and emotional distress.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Amidst the sorrow of the past eight years, Ronnie and Lydia vowed to never stop searching for their granddaughter.—
James C Ramos,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
Officials have shared their sorrow and paid tribute to the victims of the accident.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The Cavs curse is simply an extension of their ongoing tension.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
25 May 2026
-
Clark’s father is a DJ as well as the author of a five-part comic series in which the protagonist, a misunderstood boy, is faced with killing newfound friends to break a curse, according to the father’s Facebook account and online book reviews.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
For most of her career, Gauff has rarely displayed anything close to a meltdown, rarely appeared to wrestle with the emotional demons that so often undo tennis players.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Logan, Cal and Kayce (Grimes) both have their demons.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
One of the two deceased victims was taken to a hospital for injuries and later died.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Three others were taken to a nearby hospital with undisclosed injuries, the DFR said in its statement.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Tony was in agony and there was a lot of blood.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Jack Grealish had rolled on the floor in agony.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
The phrase, which was apparently started by Vegas assistant coach John Stevens, refers to the pain suffered by blocking a shot compared to the anguish felt when a puck sails by the defender and into the net.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
-
Annah’s resulting anguish is so uncomfortable for the others, that Ibrahim and Jacques practically come to blows.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The New York Yankees continue to be the Kansas City Royals’ nemeses.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 May 2026
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Plus, outside of Kristina asking her island nemesis to name a loved one for every juror, the final Tribal Council lacked any sort of spark from the jury.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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